Bug Bite?? Now an open wound!-Pics added

[StrawberryFrosted]

Last Sat I noticed a large round "bug bite" on my horses shoulder. It was being rubbed a bit by the fly sheet and there was no hair on it. It was smooth and black (his skin color).
I put some Benedryl Gel on it but didn't take off the fly sheet.
I go out the next day and the fly sheet had rubbed the "bug bite" raw. It was raised off the skin more, although the diameter was the same. The skin was white and raw and there was a small hole in the middle where blood and serum were oozing out.

I took off the fly sheet (kicking myself for leaving it on) and there was blood on the seam of the fly sheet where it rubbed the bite.

I cleaned it with chlorahexidine/water mixed and then applied Equaide. I tried to cover it with sterile gauze and tape, then put the fly sheet over it.

I realize now I should not have covered it but I didn't want flys attacking the wound.

Has anyone even seen a bug bite that is about the size of a quarter and raised but very hard to the touch?

I assumed it had no hair on it because the fly sheet may have rubbed it off.

As of last night, the wound was still oozing from the middle. What would you put on the wound? We put triple antibiotic ointment on it then Swat around it.

What else should I be doing?

[FindersKeepers]

It could be from a bee sting or a tick. Sounds like whatever it is, is now infected. I'd probably have the vet come out and see if it needs to be drained. It could also be something really horrifying like bot larvae. :eek:

[Luckydonkey]

um- there have been some interesting threads about cuterebra flies, warbles, etc... that sounds like what you have in my opinion.

[Penthilisea]

Could definetly be a tick bite. I'd post a pic, so we can see for sure. If it is a tick bite, ichthamol to draw the swelling and then keep it clean and bug free. Good luck, the random injuries stink!

[Petstorejunkie]

sounds like someone needs a new bot knife because yours aint doing the trick ;)

Hot compress, flush if you can and see if there's anything to yank out with a tweezer. if there is, i personally would call the vet. nothing like bot fly larva butt causing an abscess and ruining your day.

[StrawberryFrosted]

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs214.snc1/8128_1259218639490_1200365937

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs234.snc1/8128_1259218679491_1200365937

The wound/bite is no longer draining and the entire circle is just open and fleshy.
You can't see a visible "hole" anymore.

I did sent the pics to my vet and she said it looked like a nasty bug bite.

I was wondering if I should put something on it to dry it up or keep putting Novalsan ointment and Swat around it.

I hope you guys can see the pics!

[StrawberryFrosted]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d702b3127ccef87bb8122de800000030O00AbtmThk0aNW IPbz4a/cC

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d702b3127ccef87a72b50d6600000030O00AbtmThk0aNW IPbz4a/cC

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d702b3127ccef87b5e58ace100000030O00AbtmThk0aNW IPbz4a/cC


I will take new pics tomorrow.

[Penthilisea]

Huh. Doesn't look like a tick bite to me, more like a sarcoid perhaps?

[hunter-jumper-rider]

Pics are super duper tiny ;)

[Luckydonkey]

I too think it looks like a sarcoid- but it also looks like a bb-gun shot wound....

[Petstorejunkie]

If there's no hole i'd keep it clean and gooped up. Moist skin heals faster so you dont really want to dry it out. no more fly sheet til its healed if i were you

[Ambrey]

Any bite can become infected with bacteria that can necrotize the tissues and eat a hole. Bites that cause an extreme reaction are just more likely to do so.

If it looks like it's getting a hole (there is a soft/squishy area in the center) I think oral ABx are the usual treatment (at least in people, but I'd def call the vet out!).